Is this your vision?
Over 50% of people over the age of 60, and quite a few who are even younger than that, suffer from cataracts. With the formation of a cataract, activities like reading, gardening, golfing or driving can be difficult. Cataract sufferers may also be troubled by a bothersome glare, halos around lights, or even monocular double vision. As the cataract becomes worse eyeglass prescriptions may become necessary more frequently even though the prescriptions could have been stable for several years.
What are cataracts?
A cataract is the clouding or discoloration of the lens inside the eye. The clear passage of light through the eye to the retina is blocked by this change. Consequently, the image sent to the brain is dull and blurred. Although they can occur in young people, most cataracts are a normal part of aging. As we mature, gradual changes occur to the focusing lens inside the eye. Prior to young adulthood the lens is soft, flexible and clear. At about age 45 the lens begins to harden, change color and turn cloudy, usually resulting in the need for reading glasses or bifocals. As we continue to mature the lens continues to change. Blurring and glare can get worse, until stronger glasses no longer help and cataract surgery is required to provide clear vision again.
Symptoms of cataracts
Blurred or distorted vision
Halos or glare around bright lights.
Loss of color perception (especially blues)
Loss of depth perception
Night blindness
Eye fatigue and headaches
Double vision in one or both eyes when the second eye is occluded.
How can a cataract be treated?
Up to a point, stronger eyeglass prescriptions can adjust for vision changes due to cataracts. Eventually the only effective treatment of a cataract is the surgical removal of the clouded lens.
The lens cannot be cleared by eye drops, medication, eye exercises or laser treatment. Modern cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations performed around the world. Cataract surgery is also the most common eye surgical procedure done in the world today.
Related Topic:
Cataract Surgery
Dr Millicent M. Grim
Specialist Ophthalmologist / LASIK Specialist
MBChB (Pretoria), DTM & H (WITS), MMed (Ophth) (Pretoria)
AAO, ASCRS, ISRS (US), GMC (UK)
